"In relations with many domestically weak countries, a radio transmitter can be a more effective form of pressure than a squadron of B-52's." - Henry Kissinger, US Secretary of State during the Nixon administration

The B-52H was the final model in the B-52 series. Boeing-Wichita built 102 aircraft for delivery, in 1961-62, to the Strategic Air Command. The -H model was an improved version of the B-52G with the major change done to the powerplants. The Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet used on all previous versions of the B-52 was replaced by the Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofan. The TF33 was rated at 17,000 lbs. static thrust; more than 3,000 lbs. thrust more than the J57. The new engine was also much quieter, fuel efficient and cleaner. The increased power and better fuel efficiency combined to give the -H model an unrefueled range of 8,800 miles.

The B-52H has gone through numerous upgrade and service live extension programs and is expected to remain operational well into the next century. The B-52H had a crew of six until 1991 when the gunner position was eliminated and the tail gun deactivated and removed.

Pictured here is a 1:200 scale replica of a Boeing B-252H Stratofortress strategic bomber.
Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 10-inches
Length: 8-1/2-inches

Release Date: May 2014

Historical Account: "Warriors of the North" - In 1962, in order to perpetuate the lineage of many currently inactive bombardment units with illustrious World War II records, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its Major Command controlled (MAJCON) strategic wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate Air Force controlled (AFCON) units, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history.

As a result the 4133d SW was replaced by the 319th Bombardment Wing (BW), which assumed its mission, personnel, and equipment on February 1st, 1963. The 46th Bombardment Squadron, a squadron that had been assigned to the wing when it was a reserve organization, replaced the 30th BS. The 905th Air Refueling Squadron and the 59th Munitions Maintenance Squadron were reassigned to the 319th. Component support units were replaced by units with the numerical designation of the newly established wing. Each of the new units assumed the personnel, equipment, and mission of its predecessor.

Shortly after the wing was activated, Grand Forks was transferred from ADC to SAC in July 1963, and the personnel and equipment of ADC's 478th Air Base Group and 478th USAF Dispensary were transferred to form the wing's 319th Combat Support Group and 804th Medical Group. In 1964, however, the wing became a tenant of the 321st Strategic Missile Wing as its base support mission, manpower, and equipment was transferred to the 321st.

The wing placed aircraft on peacetime quick reaction alert duty, and conducted global bombardment training for Emergency War Order operations and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments. During the Vietnam War, the 319th Bomb Wing's mission expanded to include sending bomber and tanker aircrews on temporary duty assignments to support B-52 and KC-135 operations from 1963 to 1974. Tanker crews participated in refueling operations for both bombers and fighters. The bomb crews flew B-52Ds from bases at Andersen AFB, Guam; Kadena AB, Okinawa, and U-Tapao RTNAF, Thailand. Bomber crews participated in Operation Arc Light in 1968 and Operations Linebacker I and Linebacker II in 1972.

In 1973, the 319th Bombardment Wing acquired the AGM-69 Short Range Attack Missile (SRAM), replacing the older AGM-28 Hound Dog air-to-ground missile aboard its B-52Hs. As the activities in Southeast Asia decreased, the 319th Bomb Wing focused its full efforts on training crews to fly strategic strike missions. It participated in a SAC program to test admission of females to the inflight refueling career field, January-December 1979.